Second Time Around

If there is one thing I have learned as an artist, it’s that when I sign something, it really just means that , for now, I’m finished working on it. Often after I have had something finished for a while, I will notice something that bothers me every time I walk by that painting. If it bothers me enough, long enough, I will put that piece back on the easel and correct whatever it is that bugs me.

Lavender Woods is a piece that has been complete since 2016. It is inspired by a photo of a painting by my friend and mentor, Allen Kingwell. Allen shared it with me, and gave me permission to paint my interpretation of it. He is very generous that way.

I wanted to paint a scene, deep in the woods, with indirect light coming from off stage. Initially, I was very happy with it. But over time, it began to look unfinished to me.

So back on the easel, and this is the result. I added more reflections in the water, I added shadows of tree branches on the snow, and a few spots where the sun peeks through the trees and lands on the snow beneath.

I am very happy with it now. So much so that I signed it again. I always put the year that I painted something when I sign it. So now it says Lori Gilmore (instead of Tilton) ‘16/’20.

Enjoy!